04 ALUMNI
Miami Palmetto Senior High alumni Lily Weinbach began her freshman year at the University of Michigan entirely unaware of the obstacles that would test her capacity to overcome them. After graduating from high school in 2018, she looked forward to living in Ann Arbor and enjoying the typical college experience. However, toward the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, Lily began experiencing severe stomach pains that would entirely change the direction of her first year in college. The pains prompted Lily and her family to investigate the source of this discomfort. “The pains that I felt were so intolerable, so I needed to see what was wrong,” Lily said. Unfortunately, after performing diagnostic tests, doctors discovered that Lily had colon cancer. Considering her lack of genetic dispositions and the rarity of the disease among young adults, the news came as a complete shock. The colon removal surgery that would rid her body of the malignant area was the initial step on her road to recovery. It forced her to leave Ann Arbor— as well as her expectations for freshman year — behind and come back home.
Lily Weinbach
“It all happened super fast. I did not expect to have to go back to Miami so soon into the school year, which devastated me,” said. Although the surgery eliminated the cancer, she made the decision to undergo a six-month chemotherapy session to prevent the possibility of relapse. “The chemo was really bad. I felt sick the whole six months and I was also really upset that I was missing out on everything happening at school,” Lily said. “It was hard to see my friends and everything they partook in, while I was sitting at home, feeling trapped.” The extension of her journey caused many additional unexpected setbacks. For instance, the chemotherapy prevented her from living in a cold climate, making it impossible for her to go back to Michigan after surgery. Rather than fulfilling her courses and schooling requirements, she chose to prioritize her treatment and repeat her freshman classes the next school year. Determined to improve her physical well-being, Lily demonstrated herself as being willing to reach her goal at all costs. “I was really practical about everything, not going out when I felt sick and prioritizing my health. I just wanted to
move on to the next step to get better, even if it required extra time spent at home. I thought about the future and what I would soon be able to do and the school year that lay ahead of me,” Lily said. With this mindset, she showcased her ability to remain positive and keep her head held high, but there inevitably came difficult times in which she needed others. Her family and best friends sat by her side throughout her recovery. Palmetto sophomore Grace Weinbach, Lily’s sister, lived with her at home as she recuperated. Lily remained positive as she endured many treatment sessions. “Seeing how well she was doing throughout the whole process helped me stay positive,” Grace said. “I did my best to be there for her, especially during the rough days, which sometimes was heavy, but she always had a bright outlook.” Palmetto alumni Sydney Miller not only acted as a significant player in Lily’s large support system, but also has been her best friend for years. Lily consistently depended on her, regardless of the circumstances.
